Prompt: Write a short story about a man who discovers a magical portal
Response:
Randall, a tired and grumpy 38 year old man, was feeling a bit down in the dumps. His job was unrewarding and he was struggling to pay rent and utilities on his small apartment. The only bright spot in his day was when he could escape to his apartment and watch TV.
That is, until he found a magical portal.
Randall stepped through the portal into a brightly lit room. In front of him was a large decorated door. Fear crept into Randall’s mind as he realized he could only go through the door if he solved a difficult riddle. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. After a few minutes of thought, he had an idea of the answer to the riddle.
He walked up to the door and opened it. He found himself in a beautiful garden. The sun was shining and the smells of flowers filled his senses. Randall stood in the garden for a few minutes before he realized he had to go back through the portal. He walked back through the door and was surprised to find that the portal had disappeared.
Randall was excited by his discovery and decided to go back through the portal every day. Life was beginning to feel a bit more fulfilling and he was finally finding things that made him happy.